CHAPTER 189

The sound of flowing water was clear.

"...."

Radiant Demon Squad's leader, Jung Yeonshin, tilted the liquor bottle slowly. Dukang wine filled the cup at an agonizingly slow pace.

A faint tremor arose in First Grand Duke Eun Hwaryun's liquor. The liquor, imbued with energy, surged forward with immense waves.

The tremor in Eun Hwaryun's fingers, wrapped around the cup, was being suppressed. It was a contest of internal energy control.

A battle of wits between top-level experts.

The boy deliberately made the first move to conceal his disadvantage.

The speed at which masters, who had achieved the unity of essence, energy, and spirit, exchanged blows surpassed that of Jung Yeonshin.

The state where refined internal energy, a well-honed body, and the spirituality of the upper dantian harmonized into one was called Three Flowers Gathering at the Crown.

It was a state where three flowers became one. In this realm, martial monsters who could propel their internal energy at the speed of thought roamed the black domain.

'They must have trained for at least several decades.'

Jung Yeonshin, who had attained his current martial prowess thanks to the immense capability of his upper dantian, faced black-level adversaries with an almost prophetic intuition.

To match his opponents, he had to initiate techniques faster than them.

Every battle from Sichuan to this place had been the same.

Even when it seemed like they exchanged moves on equal footing, or when he appeared to be overwhelming his opponents, every moment was a hidden contest of intense precision.

Now, after exhausting himself with Azure Flame-First Strike, he could not afford to exchange blows.

An extreme-level master like The First Fist of the Eun Clan could always initiate an exchange of techniques.

Such warriors were strong enough to roam freely in this harsh world. Even during famines, they ate their fill and trained. If they had an opponent before them, they would never hold back.

That was why he used the pretense of serving alcohol to provoke a contest of internal energy, ensuring his opponent would not notice the weaknesses of the new leader of Radiant Demon Squad.

The density of his Transcending Law Radiant Wheel surpassed that of most comparable masters. It was difficult for others to gauge his true abilities.

Hmph.

A small nasal sound escaped from Eun Hwaryun. It was a breath laced with amusement.

A faint smile touched her lips.

Leaning back lazily, she gazed up at Jung Yeonshin, while the transparent energy wave spreading from her grazed her eyelashes.

It was the energy fluctuation of the First Fist of the Eun Clan. A forceful energy rose within her, tightly constraining the liquor cup to prevent it from shattering.

The bluish veins on the back of her hand, standing out prominently, were proof of the silent intensity of this struggle.

Crack.

A fracture formed in the cup. A thin line spread from the bottom, and a transparent stream of liquor trickled down.

The sound of droplets falling filled the silence in the room.

The young leader of Radiant Demon Squad silently set the liquor bottle upright.

Ak Yerim's eyes widened slightly. The First Fist of the Eun Clan had failed to withstand the liquor cup.

Would the same scene unfold if their positions were reversed? It was impossible to tell for now.

"Many must have been astounded." 

Eun Hwaryun finally spoke.

"Even without seeing it, I can imagine the fools who must have been left speechless, arguing about your age."

"...."

"But I am surprised in a different way. I never thought I'd see a child daring to lecture me on how to pour a drink. Truly, I have lived long enough to witness all kinds of things. A truly insignificant provocation, but hearing it from your lips makes it feel strange. You have the temperament suited for your household."

"Provocation?"

"It means you are a natural-born fighter. A well-executed provocation has always been a refined strategy of battle. If one successfully lures out an opponent's offensive move and seizes the initiative, they can control the entire flow of the battle. By predicting the direction of the opponent's technique, one can preemptively choose the counter move. With your martial ability, such a strategy would be truly terrifying. One must be cautious around you."

She concluded her words leisurely.

Despite her languid tone, her insight was razor-sharp, exuding a chilling aura.

A faint blush colored her face from intoxication, and the presence of the Eight Great Clans flowed through her. Unlike the Nine Great Sects, she was not detached and aloof.

Rather, it was a confidence close to certainty, she believed she could crush any obstacle in her way.

The gaze of a martial master, who had amassed wealth, power, and martial prowess in the secular world, was chillingly precise, tailored for battle.

"You observe my speech and behavior to gauge how I fight."

Jung Yeonshin responded, as if finding her intriguing.

It was a fresh realization.

So this was how top-tier masters analyzed their opponents.

The boy was a little different. Merely processing the sensory information flooding in was overwhelming enough for him. The First Fist of the Eun Clan, Eun Hwaryun.

The patterns of the energy waves subtly emanating from her, the form of her exposed arms, the flow of internal energy she used when receiving the liquor cup—all were clues that unraveled the martial artist named Fist Grand Duke.

'She's trained in a straightforward martial art. Her fist techniques must be incredibly fast. If she became famous as a fist master, her protective internal energy must be exceptionally solid, too.'

The first things that came to mind were her swift martial arts and the incredibly fortified defensive energy she must have cultivated.

As the highest fist master of the Jinju Eun Clan, she must have also trained in secret techniques opposite to her main martial art.

He had to consider the possibility of her having mastered something like the Subtle Harmony of Taiji from the Wudang Sect or the Hundred Steps Divine Fist of Shaolin.

Jung Yeonshin speculated on which muscles she would primarily use.

Nothing came to mind immediately.

Eun Hwaryun's body was evenly developed to a remarkable degree.

Her martial aura was that of a perfected fist master. There were no visible weak points to exploit.

Rather, it was exhilarating.

Displaying the same sword technique multiple times in enemy territory was foolish.

Even though the boy enjoyed seeing how others attempted to counter his techniques, he could not afford to do so in a place where the heads of the Eight Great Clans were present.

"I've heard about your fist techniques." 

Eun Hwaryun said with a smirk.

"I'd love to see the technique that ended the Namgoong bloodline. I intend to stay close enough that you won't be able to use that sword of yours. Unless you've mastered something like the Eight Styles of the Cloud Dragon, you'll have to respond with fist techniques."

Her intent was clear.

She was speaking of Radiant River.

Even in front of Ak Yerim, the former betrothed of Namgoong Se-jin, she was unapologetically bold. The term Supreme Untouchable suited her well.

She continued,

"Consider it an honor. It means I don't mind engaging in close combat with you. If you were some worthless brat, I wouldn't have said the same. But for you, you're worth using my full strength."

There was a double meaning in her words, tinged with playful mockery.

The idea of gender distinctions held no weight in Murim. Since the Great Clans had aided in founding the Ming Dynasty, martial artists' ranks had been determined by strength, not gender.

If one mastered martial arts, they could become powerful regardless of age or sex. If they were weak, they had to endure any provocation thrown their way.

Just as the boy had provoked by dictating how drinks should be poured, her words were a challenge.

"Now, accept my drink." 

Eun Hwaryun said.

She extended her Golden Flow Hand, effortlessly breaking Jung Yeonshin's grip and taking the liquor bottle.

Her movements were incredibly smooth.

Even if he had resisted, the level of finesse in her technique would have made it difficult to counter. But the boy didn't bother to resist.

Instead, he gently ran his left hand along his sword, preventing her from locking his pulse point. If he had chosen to reverse the sword and strike upward, Eun Hwaryun's wrist would have been in danger.

She handed him a cup, laughing.

"Are you too scared to drink with me? You're gripping that sword as if you're ready to kill."

"Only a fool would give both arms to a martial arts expert." 

The boy replied calmly.

Eun Hwaryun's smile widened as she tilted the jade bottle toward his cup.

Clear Dukang Wine poured from the mouth of the bottle, clinking gently as it hit the cup's rim.

This time, there was no indication of internal energy being used. Unlike the boy, Eun Hwaryun seemed to be pouring with complete ease.

"Child, I have no desire for an argument. Life is too short for that. Ideals like loyalty and etiquette are fleeting. The martial world is full of burdens. Give it ten years—you'll understand. You're not a naive child, so when that time comes, you'll recall my words."

"Thank you." 

The boy responded. Her words, hinting at wisdom for the future, carried the tone of a blessing.

Having observed the final rival in the Opening Tournament, he was about to turn away when he received this unexpected advice.

Eun Hwaryun's long lashes lowered briefly before rising again.

"If you appreciate my advice, have a drink. It feels a bit unfair for me to be the only one getting tipsy."

That's when it happened.

Lazy Flame Dragon suddenly reached out and grabbed Jung Yeonshin's cup.

"Leader, let's drink somewhere else. I'll teach you the proper way to enjoy it."

The opium-tainted eyes of the Hwangbo Clan's Lazy Flame Dragon shimmered with a faint white glow.

It was the Hwangbo Clan's hidden sight arts, not as advanced as the Zhuge or Murong Clans but still one of the Eight Great Clan' core techniques.

With years of indulgence in leisure and experience with swindlers, Lazy Flame Dragon was familiar with the tactics of martial artists who specialized in drugging their opponents.

As soon as Eun Hwaryun tilted the bottle, a white mist—a telltale sign of Mihon Drug (Mind-Bewildering Drug)—spread subtly from the wine.

The mist didn't come from the portion Jung Yeonshin had touched, but the side held by Eun Hwaryun. She had activated it with internal energy, releasing the hidden substance infused within.

To an untrained eye, it could easily be dismissed as mere steam from the wine.

It wasn't a lethal poison. It induced sleep, unconsciousness, or paralysis, but nothing fatal.

The truly deadly toxins capable of killing top-tier experts weren't administered this easily.

However, the moment one resisted and triggered their internal energy, their core essence would be exposed and vulnerable.

This was different from when Jung Yeonshin had intentionally released his Radiant Wheel Energy in a localized manner while testing Eun Hwaryun.

Came to explore, almost lost everything in advance.

"It's already hard enough to find good things to drink for one's health, yet here we are, dealing with such filth…."

A scorching surge of internal energy arose from Lazy Flame Dragon's hand. The liquor inside the cup bubbled violently, then evaporated into a wisp of steam.

The white vapor stretched up to the ceiling before dispersing into the air. From the side, Ak Yerim covered her lips with her hand.

Lazy Flame Dragon, unconcerned, mocked,

"Trying such cheap tricks, have you no shame?"

"The world is truly unforgiving. It's not easy to live comfortably."

Eun Hwaryun laughed awkwardly, as if she had made a drunken mistake. The shameless yet languid smile suited her well.

"Let's go."

Jung Yeonshin slowly turned his body. There was nothing to gain from prolonging this situation. Hanzhong was the territory of the Zhuge Clan and the Murim Alliance.

A small trick from Eun Hwaryun would be easily covered up.

It would be troublesome to publicize the matter through Heon Wonchang's mouth.

The strongest retaliation would be to suppress them in the Opening Tournament and take the Grand Revitalization Pill as a prize.

At that moment—

"Boy, when you rescued the disciple of Mount Hua,"

Eun Hwaryun suddenly spoke.

"Back then, the death of the regional magistrate caused an uproar. She was an official who maintained good relations with the Main Alliance."

"...."

"I heard his head was severed in an instant… You wouldn't happen to have any guesses about that, would you? That Mount Hua disciple said he never saw the magistrate. But all of the magistrate's tracks pointed to that remote island. It was highly suspicious—just like your silence now."

Her voice slithered like a snake. Her drowsy eyes, tinged with a flush from the alcohol, locked onto the black-robed boy.

Her posture as she waited for an answer was peculiar. It resembled that of a martial artist just moments away from unleashing a compressed fist strike.

Her clear gaze swept over the back of his neck. She appeared relaxed, even uninhibited, yet Eun Hwaryun was undeniably a figure of the Eight Great Clans.

The letter sent by the Zhuge Clan's leader to the magistrate.

It contained a request to overlook the pillaging of commoners in exchange for facilitating material exchanges between Hanzhong and Unyangbu.

Proof that, during the famine, the regional offices and martial sects had colluded. Since Yoo Hyun's return, the Alliance had been desperately searching for that evidence.

A magistrate of her standing would have had no reason to destroy documents that could strangle the Alliance's lifeline.

In the end, suspicions fell upon the new leader of the Radiant Demon Squad, who had rescued Yoo Hyun.

"That island where the commoners were locked up like livestock."

The boy barely tilted his head as he opened his mouth.

"How ridiculous for someone titled the First Fist of the Eun Clan to speak like this. If the magistrate was there, that means she was involved in pillaging the people. If you assume that and still seek the magistrate, doesn't that imply some sort of corrupt connection? What face do you have to interrogate me?"

"Your words are unusually long. Is it because commoners are involved? How fitting for a warrior of Desolate Fortress to speak like this."

She chuckled and gestured with her hand.

"Go on, then. I'll see you tomorrow in the martial challenge."

"I wonder what it feels like to be beaten down by both words and fists at the same time. This young master has never experienced such a thing… Hmm, well, in any case, the First Fist of the Eun Clan, please survive long enough to tell me about it."

With Lazy Flame Dragon's remark, the two descended the stairs.

Ak Yerim remained silent, her expression complicated.

Leaning against the wall, Eun Hwaryun idly spun the broken liquor cup between her fingers.

"My fists are going to be nicely warmed up. Those two really know how to get under someone's skin."

"...."

"It's been a while since I've crushed someone. Might as well grab a Grand Revitalization Pill while I'm at it… The Alliance Leader had better go easy on me."

In the realm of peak martial artists, self-assurance was essential. It was an exceptionally delicate world.

An unshakable will was necessary to execute techniques with their full strength.

Eun Hwaryun's lips curved into a crescent shape—a smile filled with anticipation.

* * *

The pure white sunlight rested upon the roof of the pavilion.

Zhuge Qing-ya had purified herself.

Today was an important day.

The means to cut down her father, the leader of the Zhuge Clan, would be determined today.

If Radiant Demon Squad's leader, Lightning Genius, failed to handle Fist Grand Duke Eun Hwaryun, she would need to devise a new plan.

She fervently hoped that would not happen.

She arranged the black hair tied with sky-colored silk behind her neck and smoothed her clothing neatly.

The light blue sleeves, closer to ceremonial robes than battle attire, brushed the air gently. The fabric was the color of the deep blue sea.

Her older brother, Fan Dragon Zhuge Hyeon, knew nothing.

Completely captivated by the martial challenge of Radiant Demon Squad's leader, he had left early in the morning to secure a prime viewing spot in the Alliance's high command barracks.

Meanwhile, Zhuge Qing-ya had gone to confirm that Azure Qilin's corpse remained undisturbed.

The affairs of the Alliance were entangled with the interests of over a hundred sects.

She could not predict when the Namgoong Clan might suddenly decide to reclaim the body.

'Forgive me. Now, you may rest.'

After offering a final silent tribute, she headed toward the Opening Tournament's martial stage.

The streets within the Alliance were deserted.

The girl walked through dust-laden air, the wind sweeping around her.

It seemed that everyone had gone to broaden their horizons by witnessing the battle of the top-tier experts.

With no one in sight, the emptiness was striking.

Much like the gaze she had seen in the eyes of Radiant Demon Squad's leader before.

'He must win.'

As she moved, Zhuge Qing-ya thought.

He had to dominate the Opening Tournament.

The plan relied on provoking a warrior acknowledged by the martial world into great wrath.

With the right cause, he needed to establish his beliefs through martial strength.

But the reputation of Fist Grand Duke Eun Hwaryun was formidable. The title First Fist of the Eun Clan was not undeserved.

She was a well-known figure among the Eight Great Clans.

Even after becoming entangled with her widowed father, the Zhuge Clan's leader, she had avoided scandal.

That was how strong she was.

Everyone within the Alliance was under her father's influence.

'Please.'

As her white hands clasped together in silent prayer, a roar reached her ears.

Her gaze lifted, and she saw the massive crowd, nearly obscuring the duel stage.

Zhuge Qing-ya infused her steps with internal energy, swiftly soaring toward the battlefield with light footwork.

Tap.

With nimble movements, she ascended a watchtower, a seat reserved for esteemed guests.

Her eyes darted forward in haste.

How many exchanges had already passed?

In the center of the battle stage, two figures entered her view.

Eun Hwaryun, retreating with agile footwork, and Jung Yeonshin, following with thunderous steps.

A spiraling tempest of energy erupted from the hand of thr young leader of Radiant Demon Squad.

A colorless energy storm raged.

The stage's surface cracked and shattered under the explosive force as it surged forward.

Even the fluttering black robe trailing behind the boy seemed ominous.

Everything visible seemed to proclaim the presence of Desolate Fortress' master.

Kwakwakwakwa—!

An overwhelming moment.

The girl had arrived just in time.

The legendary Radiant River—a martial art spoken of only in rumors—was unfolding before her eyes.